Microsoft wants hackers to know that they are going to have a little more trouble with Windows 7 should they decide to pirate the software.

Windows 7 will feature Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) in place of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA). WAT is built upon WGA however Microsoft is hoping the name change will help some of the errors of WGA disappear.

WAT will receive online updates in an effort to thwart the latest exploits and cracks for Windows 7. Microsoft estimates that up to a third of Windows installations are counterfeit and hopes that the advancements made with Windows 7 and WAT will decrease that percentage.

"These components were new and were built for use in Windows Vista. The same components, though tuned up a bit, form the basis of our activation and validation technology in Windows 7. To better reflect this latest generation of technology we will refer to the activation and validation components in Windows Vista and Windows 7 by a new name, Windows Activation Technologies."

"This time around, the software will do a better job of helping customers make decisions with confidence about which action to take. In Windows 7, we're being more descriptive about what Windows is actually doing and providing more information about what, if any, actions the user should take as a result."